Customer Reviews

Natural Timbre

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once again, Steve Howe demonstrates what he does best on his latest album, Natural Timbre, by layering different guitar voices to create a rich musical texture. Other pieces are just Steve by himself on a solo guitar, playing a mix of classical and country pieces. This is the first album Mr. Howe has done that is completely acoustic (with the exception of electric bass). Additionally, there are no vocals. The last three tracks on the album are arrangements of some Yes tunes, with the vocal lines being played on guitars. Of particular interest is "To be Over" (a tune from "Relayer"), where Steve plays the guitar solo on the original version on banjo! Believe me, it's pretty cool.

Steve is in as top form as ever on this album, playing a mix of classical, country, and even some jazzy pieces. Other tunes are in the progressive realm. He gets help from son Dylan on drums and there's some violin, piano, and recorder on some pieces. Those of you looking for a rockin' album may want to pass this one up, but for anyone interested in some great acoustic music from this virtuoso will want to check it out.

As with "The Steve Howe Album", the liner notes have a chart of what guitars are played on each track. Howe plays 22 different guitars on this album.

Robert Fripp, take note, this is as consummate a devotion to playing guitar as has ever been undertaken. Howe's dexterity in the service of Yes has carried that troop for decades, but it is the occasional glimpse one had of his accoustic adventures that augured well for this release. And it's an absolute killer. This is a tour de force by a master of his instrument who firmly believes in both melody and technique.
"To Be Over" is the highlight for me, emotionally. It is a wonderful recasting of what seemed at the time a coda for YES. Reset here, it has matured with age, or maybe I have. Deeply reflective, it is a very moving piece. Throughout this disc, you'll find yourself stunned by the power of his playing, the subtlety, the turns and twists in the compositions. This is extraordinary.
Howe's work here will inspire you. Your initial reaction may be to give up any hope of mastering the guitar, but as you continue to listen, this is the musical equivalent of a very long sojourn with Thich Nhat Hanh. You'll come out of the listening experience prepared to put your heart and soul into the playing. Howe will long be remembered for this wonderful record.

If you like the way Mr. Howe plays acoustic guitar, you won't be disappointed by this CD. My favorite is the all acoustic version of "To Be Over" from the Yes Relayer album. One thing I like about Steve Howe's solo CDs that he has recently released is the listing of the instruments he uses on each track. On this CD he also references the instrument to the page in the book of his guitar collection. I enjoy looking at the fine instruments in the book and now I can kind of get an idea of what they sound like when in use. If you are in to guitars and the way they sound when played well, you should like this collection of acoustic music.

This is an all instrumental album featuring acoustic pieces in various styles, most with mulitple guitar overdubs, (6 of the 18 pieces were written for solo guitar), including tastes of exotic instruments from various parts of the world. Four of the pieces feature percussion, with percussion being used on several others as subtle enhancements. A violinist shares the lead on a few pieces as well.

Most of the tracks here show Howe breaking alot of tendencies, managing to skirt cliches, including his own. He does this even though at least a couple of the pieces seem to deliberately echo earlier works; Surface Tension and Double Rondo I remember. Howe has released several albums over the years, including 6 albums in the '90's. Pleasant, varied and consistently tasteful , Natural Timbre has proven my favorite of his since The Steve Howe Album of 20 years ago. It seems a renewed sense of creativity and dedication is very much a part of this music. Something that has carried over to the new Yes album, Magnification, (already out in Europe, Americans may want to wait for the early Dec 2001 release, which will include bonus tracks).

When I first listened to this CD, I was at a loss for words. This is Howe's first completely acoustic studio project and the results are spectacular.

On the CD Howe unplugs using 22 different guitars, mandolins and autoharps according to the liner notes to produce over 65 minutes of soothing, smooth jazz like, music. If you appreciate great guitar playing, this album might be for you.

Howe really puts on a clinic on this CD, blending rock, bluegrass, classical, country, flamingo and jazz for a distinct and cohesive sound. Those that have complained about Howe's vocals in the past will be happy to know that this CD is entirely instrumental. Fans of Howes former band Yes will instantly recognize the unplugged, but slightly different, version of "Disillusion"

Highly recommended listening!

Los últimos discos de Steve Howe me parecen excelentes. Si exceptuamos Elements, que es algo más irregular, tanto este como Syline exploran una línea de guitarra que hasta ahora no había utilizado el guitarrista. Quedan lejos los años en los que había que demostrar que se tocaba más y más rápido que nadie. Ahora aplica todo lo aprendido a una serie de temas que son una auténtica delicia. Un disco acústico absolutamente fabuloso. Por lo que respecta a Steve Howe parece que el retorno a la primera división, que para el grupo ha supuesto "Magnification" se traduce, igualmente, en una mayor calidad de sus trabajos en solitario. Ah, y no canta en ningún tema, lo cual es de agradecer.

The whole album is thoroughly delightful. I must admit that I am a diehard Yes fan and love just about everything they do (except for Tormato and 90125) so that undoubtedly colours this review. Steve's first love has always been accoustic guitar music and his indulgence is my delight. One thing that helps a great deal is the total lack of vocals. When he's singing as part of the harmony in Yes he's great, but when he's on his own I always wish he had got Jon Anderson to sing. On a few tracks his son accompanies him on the drums and I think he does a great job matching his drum-work to the music. Most of the album features new material played on a wonderful blend of his many different guitars, and on the end of the cd Steve does great accoustic renditions of old Yes favourites; Your Move, Disillusion and To Be Over. I will never get tired of this album.

I picked up this disc in the used rack of a local music store.
To the person who parted with it...What were you thinking?!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it there and scoffed it up.
What a beautifully recorded disc. Howe has shown time and time again that he is the master of his craft; be it electric or in this case acoustic guitar. It's a very relaxing and enjoyable cd.
From the opening track "Distant Seas" to the 18th and final track a cover of Yes' "To Be Over" Howe's fingerpicking is just inspiring.
If you happen to find this in a used rack like I did grab it. If not, buy it brand new, it's worth it.

This album is a dramatic shift in Steve Howe's catalogue. Where he has dabbled in acoustic music before he has never recorded an entirely acoustic album in the studio. Until now. Backed by his son, Dylan, on drums, Anna Palm on violin and Andrew Jackman on recorder, piano and glockenspiel this instrumental album is brilliantly executed from beginning to end. The majority of the pieces are new Howe compositions that present his remarkable sense of melody wonderfully. There are two classical pieces with contemporary arrangements and acoustic/instrumental workings of three Yes classics; Your Move, Disillusion and To Be Over. The latter being perhaps the highlight of the entire set. Where Howe may have slowed some as he ages he is still one of the greatest living guitarists. It seems that his return to Yes has inspired both the band and the guitarist. May they both continue to create such wonderful music for years to come. This disc is highly recommended...Simon

I have always loved Steve Howe. His contribution to YES is just mind blowing. I love him for his diversity and unqiue playing style.
'Natural Timbre' is a tremendous view of Steve's acoustic guitar interpretations. Honestly, "To Be Over" is worth the price of this album alone.
Highly recommended!